Did You Know...

... that NSL-TV features the slowest sequences of the top teams in 4way history?

New 21-pointer scoring level at the World Cup 2011: Aerodyne Aerokart

posted Oct 25th, 2011 -
NSL-TV has uploaded a special treat for the 4way fans after digging deep in the archives. Videos of world record sequences in the past have made it to the NSL-TV channel on YouTube, and several NSL News stories have covered indirectly the slowest sequences of any meets.

Those slow sequences usually decide whether the top teams can get to the 20-pointer level for all rounds of a meet, to only 21-pointers and higher, or even to 22-pointers, as Aerodyne Aerokart did it recently for the first time at the World Cup 2011.

The NSL News took a closer look at the record meets, compared the sequences with each other and uploaded as many videos of the slow rounds as were available in the archives. One result of the research is the fact that the ultimately slowest sequence in the dive pool has not been seen yet.

The 20-pointer story began at the Malevsky Cup 2002 where DeLand Majik succeeded with scoring only 20-pointers and higher in a 10-round meet for the first time in history. The NSL-TV video includes two of the slow rounds which were both 3-block sequences (Rd.3: 6,7,2 - 21 points and Rd. 5: 1,12,9 - 20 points). Airspeed Vertical missed the same achievement by one point in Round 5 and due to a penalty in Round 9.

MalevskyMemorial 2002

Rd.1

Rd.2

Rd.3

Rd.4

Rd.5

Rd.6

Rd.7

Rd.8

Rd.9

Rd.10

Total

Av.

Rank

Teams

4-11-F

J-H-20-15

6-7-2

C-O-5-8

1-12-9

B-E-18-10

P-D-K-N-14

M-22-G-3

13-L-21

Q-19-17

Total

Av.

1

DeLand Majik

21

25

21

23

20

22

29

21

24

25

231

23.1

2

Arizona Airspeed

23

22

22

24

19

23

26

22

19 (-2)

21 (-4)

221

22.1

It took several years until the next team arrived at the same level, and then two teams did it at the same time, once again in Russia at the Malevsky Cup 2007. In fact, the new Airspeed Odyssey lineup brought the level up to 21-pointers at this event, while Team Fastrax joined DeLand Majik in the 20-pointer club. Airspeed had to master one 3-point sequence (Rd. 3: 5,10,21 - 21 points) on the way to the new record level.

The World Cup 2007 took place at the same location a few weeks later. Airspeed did not attend the second meet in Russia. Neither Hayabusa Defense nor France Maubeuge were able to join the club of 20-pointers or even 21-pointers. Their combined scores for the slow rounds would have made it, even in the two rounds with 3-block sequences. It wasn't good enough for each team alone.

Airspeed Odyssey and Team Fastrax then both showed Hayabusa and France once again a few monthes later how to do it at the USPA Nationals 2007. Two 3-block sequences (Rd. 6: 19,16,5 and Rd. 9: 7,22,15) were no obstacles for the US teams. Airspeed scored only 21-pointers and higher, while Fastrax repeated the 20-point feast.

Next, the two 3-block sequences in Round 4 (18,12,2) and Round 8 (14,20,21) at the World Meet 2008 in Maubeuge were too hard for all teams, including the new 4way world champions from Arizona and the new French 4way lineup on home turf. None of the top teams came even close, and the right-hand door of the Pilatus Porter surely did not make it easier to post high scores.

Back to the 21-pointer level at the Valentine's Meet 2011: Arizona Airspeed

The story of the slowest sequences and the highest meet levels will continue with the 2009 season tomorrow. Round 8 at the World Meet 2008 (14,20,21) was probably and arguably the most challenging sequence so far.

Four current top competitors have seen those sequences in 2008. Mathieu Bernier, Guillaume Bernier and Julien Degen competed for France, while Mark Kirkby won his last gold medal with Airspeed in 2008.

Mark Kirkby was also one level higher than his new team mates Thomas Hughes and Niklas Hemlin throughout the 2007 season. Airspeed Odyssey was the only 21-pointer team at this point in time, while Team Fastrax was on the 20-pointer level. The new Airspeed 2011 lineup came back to the 21-pointer level at the Valentine's Meet 2011, which will be a part of the next NSL News story.